The Dutch cabinet has approved legislation expanding the wiretapping powers of the intelligence services. The legislation would give the AIVD and MIVD services the power to access communication cables and conduct mass surveillance, including accessing email and mobile internet details of citizens. Before going to parliament this summer, the bill will be sent to the Council of State for advice.
The justice ministry said the law contains conditions to protect personal privacy. A new committee, the Toetsingscommissie Inzet Bevoegdheden (TIB) will need to give prior approval for any tapping, covering both the existing and new powers of the intelligence services. The eventual use of data obtained will also be subject to strict conditions for storage and destruction after a certain period of time. The oversight committee for the intelligence services also gains more powers, with the ability to issue binding rulings about complaints from citizens. The court in The Hague will decide whether any tapping of sensitive subjects, such as lawyers and journalists, is justified.
The legislation also outlines how data may be shared with foreign intelligence services, in order to prevent terrorist attacks and assist in military operations. The cabinet's proposal acknowledges criticism of a similar bill proposed and withdrawn in 2015.
